Silpathorn Award
Encyclopedia
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
contemporary art
Contemporary art
Contemporary art can be defined variously as art produced at this present point in time or art produced since World War II. The definition of the word contemporary would support the first view, but museums of contemporary art commonly define their collections as consisting of art produced...
ists presented annually by the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture, Ministry of Culture of Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. The awards were established in 2004 to promote Thai contemporary artists who are considered to be in their mid-career and who have already made notable contributions to Thai fine arts and culture.
Artists are honored in the fields of visual arts
Visual arts
The visual arts are art forms that create works which are primarily visual in nature, such as ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, design, crafts, and often modern visual arts and architecture...
, literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
, music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
, film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
, performing arts
Performing arts
The performing arts are those forms art which differ from the plastic arts insofar as the former uses the artist's own body, face, and presence as a medium, and the latter uses materials such as clay, metal or paint which can be molded or transformed to create some physical art object...
, design
Design
Design as a noun informally refers to a plan or convention for the construction of an object or a system while “to design” refers to making this plan...
and architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
.
History
Education and promotion of fine arts in the kingdom of Thailand was under the auspices of the Department of Fine Arts of the Ministry of Palace Affairs. In 1943, the department's schools became Silpakorn UniversitySilpakorn University
Silpakorn University is a well-known public university in Thailand. The university was founded in Bangkok in 1943 by Italian-born art professor Corrado Feroci, who took the Thai name Silpa Bhirasri when he became a Thai citizen. It is the leading Thai university in the fine arts and archaeology,...
, founded by Silpa Bhirasri
Silpa Bhirasri
Silpa Bhirasri , born Corrado Feroci was an Italian-born sculptor who worked mainly in Thailand. He is considered the father of modern art in Thailand and was instrumental in the founding of today's Silpakorn University....
, an Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
sculptor who was named Corrado Feroci but became a Thai citizen during World War II and is considered the father of fine arts in Thailand.
Other offices promoting fine arts included the Office of the National Culture Commission and the Religious Affairs Department.
In 1985, the Office of the National Culture Commission established the Thailand National Artist
Thailand National Artist
The National Artist is a title given annually by the Office of the National Culture Commission of Thailand, recognizing notable Thai artists in literature, fine arts, visual arts, applied arts and performing arts .Since 1985, the honors have been presented on...
designation, which is conferred on notable Thai artists as a lifetime achievement award
Award
An award is something given to a person or a group of people to recognize excellence in a certain field; a certificate of excellence. Awards are often signifiedby trophies, titles, certificates, commemorative plaques, medals, badges, pins, or ribbons...
.
The Office of Contemporary Art and Culture (OCAC), under the Ministry of Culture, was formed in 2001, and was tasked with supporting and promoting contemporary art
Contemporary art
Contemporary art can be defined variously as art produced at this present point in time or art produced since World War II. The definition of the word contemporary would support the first view, but museums of contemporary art commonly define their collections as consisting of art produced...
and culture. While the National Artist programme has been generally aimed at veteran artists, especially those in the areas of Thai traditional arts, the OCAC recognised that younger artists needed support, promotion and recognition as well. In 2004, the Silpathorn Award was created, with honorees in the fields of visual art, literature, music, film and performing arts. In 2008, an award for the field of design was added.
Qualifications
Silpathorn Award honorees must meet the following qualifications:- Thai nationals.
- Between the ages 30 to 50 years and still alive on the announcement day.
- Their works have continually been exposed to the general public until present.
- Their works have been released in Thailand and have made a great impact on Thai contemporary art and inspired young artists.
Silpathorn Kitikhun award
In 2008, a Distinguished ("Kitikhun") category was created for senior artists over 50 years of age who, because of controversy or unconventional works, would likely never be considered for the more conservative Thailand National ArtistThailand National Artist
The National Artist is a title given annually by the Office of the National Culture Commission of Thailand, recognizing notable Thai artists in literature, fine arts, visual arts, applied arts and performing arts .Since 1985, the honors have been presented on...
honor. At first this category was known in English as the "Honorary" category, but the translation was changed to "Distinguished" at the time the awards were actually given. This is because it was felt that in English an "honorary" award might be considered to be less "real" whereas the intent of the committee was to create a senior grade of the award.
Definition of Silpathorn
Silpathorn in Thai languageThai language
Thai , also known as Central Thai and Siamese, is the national and official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Historical linguists have been unable to definitively...
is a combination of two words: "Silpa", meaning "Art", and "Thorn" (or "Torn"), meaning "the Upholder", thus Silpathorn means "Upholder of Art".
Silpathorn brooch, cash prize
The Silpathorn Award is in the form of a broochBrooch
A brooch ; also known in ancient times as a fibula; is a decorative jewelry item designed to be attached to garments. It is usually made of metal, often silver or gold but sometimes bronze or some other material...
, modeled on the emblem of the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture, and made of white and yellow gold and decorated with diamonds and emeralds. There is also a cash prize, which was 100,000 baht
Thai baht
The baht is the currency of Thailand. It is subdivided into 100 satang . The issuance of currency is the responsibility of the Bank of Thailand.-History:The baht, like the pound, originated from a traditional unit of mass...
.
List of Silpathorn Award winners
| Year | Visual arts | Literature | Music | Film | Performing arts | Design | Architecture |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Chalermchai Kositpipat Chalermchai Kositpipat Chalermchai Kositpipat , is a Thai visual artist. Primarily a painter, Chalermchai's works have been exhibited worldwide, and he is known for his use of Buddhist imagery in his art.-Biography:... |
Chart Korbjitti Chart Korbjitti Chart Korbjitti is a Thai writer.He first came to prominence with the publication of his novel Khamphiphaksa in 1981. Named as Book of the Year by Thailand's Literature Council, the book won him the S.E.A. Write Award. He received a second S.E.A. Write Award in 1994 for Wela... |
Danu Huntrakul | Pen-Ek Ratanaruang Pen-Ek Ratanaruang Pen-Ek Ratanaruang is a Thai film director and screenwriter. He is best known for his arthouse work, Last Life in the Universe, and is considered to be one of Thai cinema's leading "new wave" auteurs, alongside Wisit Sasanatieng and Apichatpong Weerasethakul... |
Pradit Prasarttong | ||
| 2005 | Pornchai Jaima | Saksiri Meesomsueb Saksiri Meesomsueb Saksiri Meesomsueb is a Thai poet and writer. He is also known by the pen name Kittisak.Meesomsueb won the 1992 S.E.A. Write Award for his collection of poems, That Hand is White. In 2005, he was given the Silpathorn Award for Literature.... |
Bundit Ungrangsee Bundit Ungrangsee Bundit Ungrangsee is an international symphonic conductor.Thai-born and of Chinese descent, Bundit Ungrangsee was named one of two co-winners and Laureates of the inaugural Maazel-Vilar International Conductors' Competition held at Carnegie Hall in New York City, USA in September 2002... |
Apichatpong Weerasethakul Apichatpong Weerasethakul Apichatpong "Joe" Weerasethakul is a Thai independent film director, screenwriter, and film producer. His feature films include Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, winner of the prestigious 2010 Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or prize; Tropical Malady, which won a jury prize at the 2004... |
Manop Meejamrus | ||
| 2006 | Chatchai Puipia | Win Lyovarin Win Lyovarin Win Lyovarin , is a Thai writer. He is a two-time winner of the S.E.A... |
Nat Yontararak Nat Yontararak Nat Yontararak born 1954, is a Thai classical pianist, composer and music teacher.-Biography:Nat was born in Bangkok and studied at Bangkok Christian College... |
Wisit Sasanatieng Wisit Sasanatieng Wisit Sasanatieng is a Thai film director and screenwriter of Chinese descent... |
Pichet Klunchuen | ||
| 2007 | Pinaree Sanpitak Vasan Sitthiket Vasan Sitthiket Vasan Sitthiket , born on October 7, 1957 in Nakhon Sawan Province, Thailand is a Thai contemporary visual artist. A graduate of the College of Fine Art in Bangkok, he has works in many fields, including painting and poetry... Rirkrit Tiravanija Rirkrit Tiravanija Rirkrit Tiravanija is a contemporary artist residing in New York. He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1961. His installations often take the form of stages or rooms for sharing meals, cooking, reading or playing music; architecture or structures for living and socializing are a core element... |
Siriworn Kaewkan | Narong Prangcharoen | Thunska Pansittivorakul Thunska Pansittivorakul Thunska Pansittivorakul , born October 22, 1973, is a Thai independent film director.-Biography:Thunska Pansittivorakul was born in Bangkok in 1973. He graduated from the Department of Art Education, Faculty of Education of Chulalongkorn University. He used to be a columnist of many magazines... |
Nimit Pipithkul | ||
| 2008 | Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook | Paiwarin Khao-Ngam Paiwarin Khao-Ngam Paiwarin Khao-Ngam is a Thai writer.His first work, There's No Poem From A Poor Man, was published in 1979. In 1995 he won the S.E.A. Write Award for his collection of poems, Banana Tree Horse.-References:... Khajornrit Raksa |
Narongrit Dhamabutra | Nonzee Nimibutr Nonzee Nimibutr Nonzee Nimibutr is a Thai film director, film producer and screenwriter. Best known for his ghost thriller, Nang Nak, he is generally credited as the leader among a "New Wave" of Thai filmmakers that also includes Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, Wisit Sasanatieng and Apichatpong... |
Sineenadh Keitprapa | Sompis Phosakul | |
| 2009 | Phatyos Buddhacharoen Sakarin Krue-on |
Orasom Suddhisakorn | Den Euprasert | Pimpaka Towira Pimpaka Towira Pimpaka Towira is a Thai independent film director, screenwriter and film producer. Her films include One Night Husband and The Truth Be Told: The Cases Against Supinya Klangnarong.-Career:... |
Janaprakal Chandruang | Kulapat Yantrasast Kulapat Yantrasast Kulapat Yantrasast is founding partner and creative director of wHY Architecture, specializing in architecture for the arts and sustainable architecture. wHY Architecture’s unique area of expertise includes the design and planning of art museums with focus on unique creative sustainable mission,... Eggarat Wongcharit Somchai Jongsaeng Prinya Roj-arayanont |
|
| 2010 | Navin Rawanchaikul Navin Rawanchaikul Navin Rawanchaikul is a Thai artist with Japanese permanent resident status whose ancestral roots are in Hindu-Punjabi communities of what is now Pakistan. He has developed a unique and vast body of works that rely heavily on team spirit and collaboration, and are most often produced under the... |
Saneh Sangsuk Saneh Sangsuk Saneh Sangsuk is an award-winning Thai author who wrote White Shadow and the short story Venom . In 2008, he received the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres Medal from the French Ministry of Culture for his remarkable contributions to literature... |
Chaiyoot Tosa-nga | Aditya Assarat Aditya Assarat Aditya Assarat is a Thai independent film director, screenwriter, producer and cinematographer.-Early career:... |
Nikorn Saetang | Withoon Khunalangkan (interior design) Pracha Suveeranont (graphic design) Wasinburi Supanichwarapat (design) |
Patama Roonrakwit |
- Design award initiated in 2008.
- Architecture award initiated in 2010.
List of Distinguished ("Kitikhun") Silpathorn Award winners
The Distinguished Silpathorn Award was created in 2008.2008
- S. P. SomtowS. P. SomtowS. P. Somtow is a Thai-American musical composer. He is also a science fiction, fantasy, and horror author writing in English...
, composer, conductor and author - Saiyart Semangern, designer
- Suwan Kongkhuntien, designer
See also
- S.E.A. Write AwardS.E.A. Write AwardThe S.E.A. Write Award, or Southeast Asian Writers Award, is an award that has been presented annually since 1979 to poets and writers in Southeast Asia....
- Thailand National ArtistThailand National ArtistThe National Artist is a title given annually by the Office of the National Culture Commission of Thailand, recognizing notable Thai artists in literature, fine arts, visual arts, applied arts and performing arts .Since 1985, the honors have been presented on...
- Cinema of ThailandCinema of ThailandThe cinema of Thailand dates back to the early days of filmmaking, when King Chulalongkorn's 1897 visit to Bern, Switzerland was recorded by Francois-Henri Lavancy-Clarke. The film was then brought to Bangkok, where it was exhibited...
- Culture of ThailandCulture of ThailandThe Culture of Thailand incorporates cultural beliefs and characteristics indigenous to the area known as modern day Thailand coupled with much influence from ancient India, China, Cambodia, along with the neighbouring pre-historic cultures of Southeast Asia...
- Dance of ThailandDance of ThailandDance in Thailand is the main dramatic art form of Thailand. Thai dance, like many forms of traditional Asian dance, can be divided into two major categories that correspond roughly to the high art and low art distinction....
- Music of ThailandMusic of ThailandThe music of Thailand reflects its geographic position at the intersection of China and India, and reflects trade routes that have historically included Persia, Africa, Greece and Rome...
External links
- Office of Contemporary Art and Culture, Ministry of Culture, Thailand